AFGE elects J. David Cox as new leader

Aug. 16, 2012 - 10:53AM
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The American Federation of Government Employees elected J. David Cox its new national president Wednesday at its convention in Las Vegas. ()

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The American Federation of Government Employees elected J. David Cox its new national president Wednesday at its convention in Las Vegas.

Cox defeated Alex Bastani, president of AFGE’s Local 12, which represents Labor Department employees; Phil Glover, the legislative coordinator for AFGE’s Council of Prison Locals; and Paul Ferris, president of AFGE’s Defense Department Local 2516. Cox received 52 percent of the vote.

Cox and the other elected AFGE leaders will be sworn in Thursday, AFGE said.

Cox served two terms as AFGE’s national secretary-treasurer, the second-highest ranking officer in the union. He was the right-hand man of former president John Gage, who in June announced that he would not run for a fourth term.

In an AFGE release announcing the election results, Cox said he wants to build consensus among AFGE’s diverse membership and challenge efforts to cut back the government.

“The strength of unity is the only way we are going to fight back against the anti-government and anti-union forces that want to dismantle the vital programs and services federal employees provide each and every day to millions of Americans,” Cox said. “I am honored and humbled that AFGE’s members chose me to lead this fight.”

AFGE members also elected Eugene Hudson to be its new national secretary-treasurer. Augusta Thomas was reelected as national vice president for women’s and fair practices.